Army Strong Zone shows 150 Ways to be 'Army Strong'

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Miller, Mission Support Battalion, mans the Army Motorcycle exhibit at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2012, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The Zone is a free, interactive area of dozens...

U.S. Army Reserve engineer Staff Sgt. John Holubeck explains the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, known as an MRAP, to visitors at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2012, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl...

The Army Strong Zone showcased the Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance vehicle, with 30-foot robotic arm and iron claw for ordinance disposal and route clearance. The claw is mounted with a camera and sensory equipment.

The Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance display awaits its next visitor at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2013, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Miller, Mission Support Battalion, mans the Army Motorcycle exhibit at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2012, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The Zone is a free, interactive area of dozens...

The U.S. Army Drill team from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., performs at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2013, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

U.S. Army Reserve engineer Staff Sgt. John Holubeck explains the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, known as an MRAP, to visitors at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2012, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl...

Visitors to the Army Strong Zone participate in a team building challenge. The Zone is a free, interactive area of dozens of exhibits that brings Army operations and programs to the American public.

The Army Strong Zone showcased the Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance vehicle, with 30-foot robotic arm and iron claw for ordinance disposal and route clearance. The claw is mounted with a camera and sensory equipment.

The Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance display awaits its next visitor at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Jan. 5, 2013, before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Jan. 6, 2012) -- The Army Strong Zone, a 129,000 square-foot exhibit area adjacent to the Alamodome, provides Americans a platform to experience the diverse elements of the world's strongest team -- the U.S. Army.

"It has taken between six and nine months to coordinate this process," said Walt Quinn, Army Strong Zone manager. "We have Soldiers and civilians representing a variety of Army missions and units from as close as Fort Hood (Texas) and as far away as Washington State."

America's Army strives to be reflective of the people it serves. The Army Strong Zone is a glimpse into how such a diverse group of people brings their talents, skills and technology together to form an elite team strong enough to be called the greatest Army in the world.

"What we do in Army Recruiting Command is educate people across the country on what it takes to be part of the U.S. Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Moore, U.S. Army Recruiting Command. "With the theme, 'Only the Strongest Wear Our Colors,' the All-American Bowl helps us amplify the message that not everyone can wear our colors; you have to possess the highest qualifications to be part of our team."

From simulators to demonstrations, to hands-on experiences, the Army Strong Zone connects visitors with the Army's extraordinary Soldiers and leading-edge technology and helps the Army share its story with the American public in a personal, experiential way.

With some 150 career opportunities to service as active, Guard or Reserve Soldiers, the Army profession develops the nation's future leaders and its communities' strongest citizens.

Highlighting the Army and the nation's need to invest in and ensure America's young people are fully engaged and active in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, known as STEM, education and activities, many of the zone exhibits had a STEM focus. The exhibits also illustrate how the Army is leading the way in technology development.

Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Hazelwood of the Corpus Christi said he believes the strength of Army technology is in its ability to "find the danger before we put our people in harm's way."

For U.S. Army Recruiting Command Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Henry L. Huntley, the hope is for people to "see how technology transfers not only from the Army but to the civilian sector of our lives.

"We partner with America to make things great for the Army, but also for the U.S.," Huntley said. "That's what's important."